Chapter 8 The Real Centre of Attention

• As the clock struck six in the evening, outside the grandeur of International Hotel, a congregation of young men and women adorned in sleek suits and graceful evening gowns engaged in animated conversation.
• "Look, here comes Cece, riding in on her electric scooter. Is the man with her husband?"
• Cecilia's arrival at the hotel entrance drew numerous curious gazes.
• "Cece, you've finally made it!" Laura exclaimed with a smile, holding hands with her boyfriend, Thomas Steele, and warmly embracing Cecilia. "It's been over a year since we graduated; I half expected you to be caught in traffic!"
• The underlying jab at Cecilia's mode of arrival was not lost on anyone present.
• "Laura came on an electric scooter; there's little chance of traffic jams!" Claus Lowerick interjected, his tone laced with mockery.
• When old classmates reunite, comparison often crept in.
• "Claus, shouldn't old friends catch up without competing?" Laura retorted with a gentle smile.
• Cecilia's countenance subtly darkened; the truth stung, and she couldn't refute it.
• Introducing Thomas to Cecilia, Laura proudly declared, "Meet my boyfriend, Thomas, the junior manager at Steele Corporation!"
• What? Laura's beau is a junior manager at Steele Corporation?
• Why, that's a famous name!
• Steele Corporation, a publicly traded titan valued in the hundreds of millions, bestowed great fortune upon Laura.
• No wonder she hosted her birthday celebrations here.
• The mere mention of Thomas sent ripples through the gathering of graduates, many of whom had yet to achieve such heights themselves. The admiration for Thomas was palpable.
• Laura revelled in the envy and covetous glances directed her way, though her expression remained serene.
• "Cece, introduce us to your husband!" Laura prompted with curiosity.
• "I'm Larry Shaw," came Larry's polite introduction as he extended his right hand.
• Thomas cast a brief, disdainful glance at Larry, his hand adorned with pristine white gloves. Nevertheless, Larry seemed oblivious and shook hands with him cordially.
• Cecilia, borne of an illustrious lineage, instinctively grasped the affront entwined with gloved handshakes, a slight vexation tugging at her.
• Yet, in a swift motion, Larry extracted a napkin from his pocket, dabbed his right hand, and carelessly discarded it.
• Hmm? Thomas furrowed his brow, taken aback. As junior manager at Steele Corporation, he had unwittingly bestowed a semblance of respect upon Larry merely through their gloved handshake.
• The absence of propriety from Larry caught Thomas off guard.
• Observing this curious spectacle, Laura jested with a gentle smile, "Seems your husband has a touch of arrogance, Cece!"
• The irony of Thomas's own rudeness being cast upon Larry as arrogance did not escape Cecilia.
• Laura pressed on, "By the way, Cece, with your background in the Faraday Group, valued in the billions, why opt for an electric scooter? Don't you possess a luxury car and choose not to drive?"
• "In this day and age, it's no surprise; everyone and their mother owns a car. Traffic woes persist, even if one abstains from driving!"
• Ceclia was smart enough to understand the underlying implications
• Before she could respond, another girl interjected, "Laura, having been abroad for over a year, you might be unaware. The status of Cece's family within their clan is virtually non-existent. Rumours abound that the entire family of Cece faces disgrace, possibly expulsion. Nowadays, Cece fares little better than any commoner!"
• "The man she married carries little competence. That would explain her coming on an electric scooter. Traffic congestion? She doesn't even have a supercar!"
• "Celia, is this true?" Laura feigned astonishment.
• "She speaks the truth. My standing in the family is negligible. If tonight's gathering devolves into comparisons, then there's no reason for us to linger. Darling, let's depart." With resolve, Cecilia clasped Larry's hand and moved to leave.
• Darling?
• Larry was delighted to hear that form of address.
• In an instant, Laura obstructed Cece's path with a pointed plea, "Cece, spare your words. We are friends, are we not? It was a mere slip of the tongue!"
• Her assertion silenced the others naturally.
• Unbeknownst to them, Larry had dispatched a text message.
• "Cece, join me swiftly. Today marks our shared birthday. Since you're basking in my boyfriend's radiance, let us celebrate together!"
• She made it sound like this was a magnamimous gift from her.
• "Darling, today is also your birthday?" Larry's surprise was palpable, his guilt consuming.
• "How'd you even get to marry Cece? You don't even know her birthday. What kind of husband are you?" Laura cast a withering glance at Larry.
• "Yet it doesn't matter. The cake my boyfriend prepared is big enough for everyone."
• "But it's your cake!" Larry shrugged nonchalantly, speaking casually, "I'll prepare my wife's cake myself!"
• His words elicited curious glances from the onlookers.
• Someone interjected flatteringly, "Cece, your husband truly lacks appreciation. Laura is offering to share her cake with you. You could've just said no if you didn't want it"
• "Yes!"
• Claus chimed in, his tone blunt, "The cake bought by Mr. Steele costs at least five figures. Can he even afford it?"
• "He arrived on a decrepit electric bike. What social standing does he hold? A cake might deplete his entire worth. Mr. Steele held him in high regard and deigned to shake hands with him, yet he still dismisses it, believing himself superior."
• Claus's words cut through the tension.
• Cecilia's countenance turned pallid.
• "We're all classmates. Could you keep it down?" Laura chided, a trace of pride on her face.
• "Who's at the entrance?"
• "I've seen him in the media. He's Mr. Cuban from the International Hotel. He's young and promising!"
• At that moment, a well-dressed young man emerged from the hotel, his presence overshadowing Thomas's.
• The International Hotel, part of the vast Heaven International conglomerate, with over a thousand establishments nationwide.
• Mr. Cuban oversaw operations at more than a dozen International Hotels in Shoresea, holding the esteemed title of general manager. In the realm of business, who would dare slight him?
• Indeed, throughout expansive Shoresea, nearly every prestigious enterprise maintained ties to Heaven International.
• "Mr. Cuban, it's an honour that you've graced us with your presence at my girlfriend's birthday!" Thomas promptly removed his gloves and extended his right hand in greeting.
• As Thomas strode away, the onlookers couldn't help but harbour a sense of covetousness and resentment.
• It was as if each of them wished for a fraction of the prestige effortlessly wielded by Steele Corporation's young executive.
• Laura's countenance deepened into a more pronounced smile as she directed her attention to Cecilia.
• "My beau and Mr. Cuban share a business acquaintance. Such acknowledgements aren't bestowed upon just anyone."
• Meanwhile, Mr. Cuban passed by Thomas with an indifference that seemed to deny the younger man's existence altogether.
• Thomas found himselfsuspended in a moment of awkwardness, his right hand hanging in mid-air, its intended gesture abandoned to the ether.
• At that very instant, Laura's self-satisfied expression froze upon her features.
• "You grace us with your presence, Ms. Faraday. I am Zacharias, but you can call my Zacky. Please, forgive me for this less-than-satisfactory welcome."
• Approaching Cecilia directly, Mr. Cuban offered a slight bow as he extended his right hand in a gesture of deference akin to greeting a figure of great significance.
• Thomas stood there, utterly bewildered and dumbfounded by the sequence of events unfolding around him.
• Others around were equally taken aback, their voices seemingly choked by an unspoken egg of disbelief lodged in their throats.
• Mr. Cuban, who moments ago had disregarded Thomas's proffered hand, now displayed a humility bordering on reverence in the presence of Cecilia.
• Could anyone elucidate what exactly is unfolding in this perplexing scene?